Maghera man who tried to escape from police car 'went off rails' court hears

A Maghera man, who tried to escape from the back of police car when he was arrested, was given a two months jail sentence when he appeared via video-link before Magherafelt Magistrates this morning.

Robin Steele of Drummuck Road, who is currently serving time in Maghaberry Prison, was charged with resisting police and failing to provide a specimen when in charge of a vehicle.

The court heard that June 17, police responded to a report of an ongoing incident at an address in Maghera.

As police attempted to arrest the defendant, he struggled and shouted verbal abuse at them.

When Steele was placed in the back of a police vehicle, he tried to escape out the other door but he was blocked by an officer, the court heard.

Officers were then forced to place handcuffs on the defendant when he refused to put on his seat belt. When he continued to struggle, he was placed in a cell van, the court heard.

The court also heard that on June 23, police attended to an address in Maghera following reports of a disturbance. When they arrived at the property, they observed the defendant sleeping in a vehicle which was parked in the drive way, the court heard.

They were a set of car keys in his hand, the court heard.

When officers detected a strong smell of intoxicating liquor, they carried out a roadside breath test which the defendant failed.

He was arrested and taken into custody where he refused to provide a specimen.

When he was asked one last time to provide a specimen, he said ‘I am over the limit anyway’ the court heard.

A defence solicitor said: “This is a man who has grown up children and was employed but went off the rails due to alcohol.

“He ended up before the Crown Court for very serious matters which he is now serving time for. I would ask you to be mindful that he is presently in custody when you are sentencing this man,” added the solicitor.

In addition to the two months custodial sentence, District Judge Alan White also disqualified Steel from driving for two months and fined him £25.